PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Paul Toepfer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Umba Matumba (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Paul Toepfer had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Toepfer
vs
Matumba

160 cm
21
135 lbs
7 - 0 - 0

173 cm
21
140 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

The Big Kabosh

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Paul Toepfer!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Umba Matumba!
The judges for this bout are Igor Prikhodko, Ivan Kurochkin and Illya Tyunina.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Toepfer is defended easily by Matumba.
Left hook, right uppercut from Matumba.

It looks like Paul Toepfer has been cut.
Toepfer shoots in for a takedown but Matumba shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
We've been hearing reports that Toepfer has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Matumba throws the kick towards the body but Toepfer avoids it.
Matumba stuns Toepfer with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Toepfer shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Matumba defends it nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Paul Toepfer. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Toepfer takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Toepfer shoots in for a double leg but Matumba sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Matumba scores with a one two! Toepfer had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Matumba throws a head kick that misses.
Toepfer looks for a takedown but Matumba sprawls well.
Matumba scores with a three punch combo!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Donk. Matumba catches Toepfer right on the button with a cross.
Matumba misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Toepfer.
Matumba throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Toepfer ducks right into an uppercut from Matumba.

Paul Toepfer's cut is getting worse.
Matumba lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.

Toepfer is rocked!
A looping hook to the body misses from Toepfer. Matumba does a little dance to reset his feet.
Oh Toepfer is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Matumba getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Toepfer tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Matumba manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Matumba tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Toepfer was well out of range. Poor timing from Matumba.
Toepfer seems to have got his legs back now.
Matumba fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Toepfer manages to avoid it.
Umba Matumba seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Matumba lands with a nice combination. Toepfer backs away looking to recover.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Matumba fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Toepfer manages to avoid it.
Toepfer showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Matumba.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matumba tries to bum rush Toepfer with a series of wild strikes but Toepfer uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Sloppy strikes from Matumba. Those never looked like landing.

Toepfer drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Matumba is pushing Toepfer's head away, looking to escape. Toepfer manages to hold on to the position though.
Matumba takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Toepfer grinds an elbow into Matumba's temple.
Toepfer prevents Matumba from escaping the position.
Toepfer cracks Matumba with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Toepfer has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Matumba wants to get back to his feet but Toepfer is dominant here and he's now got Matumba's back!
Toepfer lands strikes to the head.
Matumba trying to get back to his feet but Toepfer is in full control for now.
Matumba grimaces as he takes a shot to the body.

Toepfer is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Matumba knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Matumba for a finish.
Toepfer lands with a nice looking elbow that stuns Matumba.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Toepfer controlling well, preventing Matumba from escaping the position.
Toepfer is throwing punches to the body, looking to soften Matumba up.
Toepfer throwing strikes from the back - he gets a warning from the referee for striking the back of the head but all these shots are hurting Matumba!
Matumba is in a world of trouble here. He's outmatched on the ground here and he'd better get Toepfer off his back sharpish unless he wants to be submitted.
Toepfer loading up with punches from the back mount - how long can Matumba hold on?
Toepfer is punishing Matumba with strikes - can he finish him?!
Matumba prevents Toepfer from getting a body triangle.
Watch the back of the head! Comes the shout from the referee towards Toepfer.

Toepfer looking to break Matumba's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Matumba remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Toepfer will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Matumba tries to break free.

Matumba fending off the submission attempt from Toepfer.
Matumba rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Matumba pushes Toepfer off looking to stand but Toepfer dives back in and keeps control.
Matumba is looking to improve his position.
Toepfer sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Toepfer thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Matumba's head.
Matumba is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Toepfer is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Matumba wants to get back to full guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Toepfer is nestled in close to Matumba, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
The fighters are battling for position here. Matumba manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Toepfer is looking to work some ground and pound but Matumba has wrist control.
Toepfer trying to control the position from guard on top but Matumba is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Umba Matumba will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Paul Toepfer's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Toepfer takes a jab right on the kisser.
Toepfer darts in looking for a takedown but Matumba gets double underhooks and turns Toepfer into the cage.
Matumba looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Toepfer is looking for a takedown.
Matumba stops a takedown attempt from Toepfer.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Paul Toepfer. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Matumba wants to get back to striking at distance but Toepfer won't allow it.
Toepfer is looking to take this one to the mat.
Toepfer keeps control of Matumba as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Toepfer jumps guard but Matumba stands there with Toepfer around his waist. Toepfer gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Toepfer jumps guard but Matumba turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Toepfer is trying to drag Matumba to the mat but Matumba just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Toepfer tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Toepfer has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Matumba after a bit of a struggle.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Toepfer tries to pull guard but Matumba won't allow it.
A frustrated look appears on Matumba's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Matumba is trying to break the clinch but Toepfer is controlling him.
Toepfer tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Matumba just stands there and leans against the cage.
Toepfer tries to pull guard but Matumba won't allow it.

Toepfer manages to pull guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Toepfer keeping full guard, as Matumba tries to pass.
Toepfer controlling the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matumba advances position into side control!
Matumba tries to stand but Toepfer is controlling his head.
Toepfer is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Toepfer is looking for a sweep. Matumba is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Paul Toepfer overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Matumba decides to stand and escape the position.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Matumba throws a leg kick but Toepfer checks it.
Matumba uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Toepfer.
Matumba has tried to improve his agility in the runup to this fight.
Matumba keeps the fight on the outside.
Matumba throws a one two combo.
Matumba jabs Toepfer right on the nose. Toepfer blinks but takes it well.
Matumba rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Toepfer moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matumba scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.

Matumba drops Toepfer with a beautiful combination! Toepfer stares up at his opponent, who ushers him back to his feet - Matumba is looking for the KO!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Toepfer feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.

Matumba kicks Toepfer off and gets to his feet.
Matumba has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Toepfer tries to score a power double leg takedown but Matumba sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Toepfer somewhat.
Toepfer misses with a wild combination.
Matumba will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Matumba moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

Paul Toepfer's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Toepfer shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Matumba's guard.
Toepfer preventing the sweep.
Matumba keeping moving, preventing Toepfer from controlling successfully.
Toepfer prevents Matumba from getting back to his feet.
Toepfer looking to pass the guard.
Toepfer working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Matumba is working for submissions here. He's thrown up his legs looking for a triangle but Toepfer frees his head nicely. Oh but Matumba has switched to an armbar! Toepfer is tapping furiously! Lovely submission there!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:59 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Armbar). Umba Matumba!
Umba Matumba is the new bantamweight champion!